Autologous transfusion for paediatric marrow donor

Abstract

Autologous blood was pre-deposited for 11 children who were marrow donors for siblings undergoing bone marrow transplantation for haematological and oncological conditions. Their age ranged from 2 to 15 years (mean 8.4 years) and their body weight from 12.5 to 47 kg (mean 27.1 kg). Ten donors had single collection and one had two. The collection period varied between 7 to 21 days before marrow harvest. Volume of autologous blood harvested ranged from 100 ml to 450 ml with a total of 6.52 ml/kg to 14.5 ml/kg body weight (mean 9.49 ml/kg). Nine donors received autotransfusions during or after marrow harvest. No adverse reaction was observed. Two donors were not transfused. Only one donor required additional allogeneic blood transfusion. Our autologous transfusion policy minimized the risk of allogeneic blood exposure for marrow donor. This policy is feasible in the paediatric population.